Planning for dynamic lockdown

The guidance on dynamic lockdown provides points ground /event management should consider when developing a dynamic lockdown plan as a response to the threat of a gun, vehicle, weapon or other type of terrorist incident at the ground or in the vicinity of the ground.

This guidance note has been developed by the SGSA in partnership with NaCTSO to provide more specific guidance for the sports grounds sector. It provides points ground /event management should consider when developing a dynamic lockdown plan as a response to the threat of a gun, vehicle, weapon or other type of terrorist incident at the ground or in the vicinity of the ground. Due to the differences in construction and use of sports grounds it is not possible to issue definitive guidance, each ground should draw up plans based on their particular circumstances.

A dynamic lockdown is the ability to quickly restrict access and egress to a site or building (or part of) through physical measures in response to a threat, either external or internal.

The existence of a dynamic lockdown plan does not negate the need for robust security and staff vigilance to detect and deter threats. However, such a plan can assist in frustrating and delaying an attacker(s) during an attack and thereby reduce the number of casualties, providing the emergency services valuable time to respond.

NaCTSO guidance suggests that planning should consider:

  • How to achieve effective full or partial lockdown
  • How to let people know what is happening
  • Training of staff

Key points to consider at a sports ground

Whilst creating the plan or checking its effectiveness, ground management should consider the following questions.

Planning for a Dynamic Lockdown at a Sports Ground (PDF)

Implementing lockdown

  • Does the plan include an audit of all access and egress locations and identify who has the responsibility for locking down each location?
  • Does the plan describe how each point of access or egress to the ground will be secured?
  • Has the plan been checked to ensure that the time it will take to lock down all access and egress points is understood?
  • What instructions are given to members of staff on the action to be taken when people refuse to stay at the ground or restrict movement to a particular area?
  • What advice is to be given to spectators and other visitors who refuse to stay at the ground?
  • If appropriate for the venue, does the plan include options for moving people within the venue between different zones (zonal invacuation)?
  • Once the lockdown plan has been initiated what advice is to be given to those outside the secure lockdown perimeter?
  • Does the plan include a checklist of staff and contractors who will be outside the perimeter, and means of communicating with those groups?
  • Does the plan include instructions for calling the crisis management team and where they should locate? Also, is there a checklist for considering the ongoing threat in conjunction with the police?

Protection

  • What protection is provided to the ground structure as a defence against a threatened attack?
  • If a CCTV system is in place, does it cover the approaches to the ground?
  • What protection is provided for staff working at the access and egress locations?
  • What are the plans for the protection of members of staff working outside the ground, including those in car parks?
  • Does the plan describe arrangements for the protection of spectators and other visitors who may be outside the ground (for instance, queuing at turnstiles or en route to the ground)
  • What additional protection is provided for the control room / control point?

Communication

  • Have local police been consulted on the plan and has a joint response been agreed in the event of a threat?
  • How will information be passed to or obtained from the police or other emergency services during an incident?
  • Are there clear strategies for providing messages, internally and externally, on the developing situation?
  • Do the communications strategies include the use of all available means, including PA systems and social media?
  • Have prescripted messages been developed for use in the event of a lockdown?
  • If yes, who is responsible for this messaging? Who authorises the messaging?
  • Do the plans include arrangements to communicate with other crowded places / businesses in the vicinity of the ground?
  • Do the plans include arrangements to communicate to transport networks?

Event management

  • Does the plan include a decision making process as to whether or not the event continues or restarts if the activity has been suspended?
  • Under the plan, will concessions and hospitality areas (internally or externally) remain open? How will this be communicated to vendors?
  • What arrangements are included in the plan to deal with athletes and VVIPs who may be at the ground?
  • Is the plan regularly briefed to staff?
  • Does the plan identify a training and exercising regime?
  • Is there a recovery plan for the end of the threat?